Opposite the Fishergate Shopping Centre are a row of empty properties and the owners want to be able to let a cafe open up in the premises.

The former shops have been vacant for some time and the current owners Lee Baron Ltd have applied for a change of use.

The application comes as Lancashire County Council prepare to undertake major work on Fishergate and the surrounding area to make it easier for pedestrians to use and limit the amount of traffic using the street.

A statement in the application states: “The proposal is to change the use of the existing vacant property from A1 retail to A3. We have previously been granted permission for Units 2&3 to Change use to A3. There is now interest from potential operators for this unit aswell. The property has been on the letting market for some time
and there has only been interest from A3 users.

“Although the final operator is not known at this time the character of the existing building or its environments will be maintained and therefore will accord with Planning Policy.”

If granted it means all the former shop units from the RAF recruiting offices would be available to become restaurants or cafes.

The proposal to change the use of Unit 82 is on the council website. Anyone wishing to comment may do so on the website or write to [email protected] and quote application number 06/2013/0143.

What do you think of the bottom end of Fishergate? Would you welcome more restaurants and cafes in the area? Let us know in the comments below